Benediction
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A benediction (Latin: bene, well + dicere, to speak) is a short invocation for divine help, blessing and guidance, usually at the end of worship service.
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[edit] Judaism
Judaism developed ritualised benedictions (Berachot) for use at the Temple of Jerusalem, in the synagogue, and in the home. These Berachot often took the form of a blessing upon the fulfillment of a mitzvah (divine commandment). The most important benediction was the Priestly Blessing pronounced by the kohenim (priests descended from Aaron), as found in Numbers 6:23-27.
[edit] Christianity
From the earliest church, Christians adopted ceremonial benedictions into their liturgical worship, particularly at the end of a service. Such benedictions have been regularly practiced both in the Christian East and West. At the time of the Reformation, Protestants abandoned many of the benedictions of the Roman Catholic Church, including the Apostolic Benediction made by the Pope and his delegates, and the "last blessing" of the dying.
A common form of benediction in Roman Catholic, and liturgical Protestant churches is for the worship leader to raise his hands and recite the words of the biblical Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:23-27).
Some Protestant churches have recently started to reincorporate the use of benedictions in the closing of their church services. Such benedictions may be taken from Scripture, written by a church member, or a combination of the two.
In the Orthodox Church, benedictions will occur at both the beginning and the end of each service, and there may be other benedictions during the course of the service. The final benediction (the dismissal) is the most important, and will often entail mention of the feast or saint being commemorated that day. The priest will bless with his right hand, and the bishop will bless with both hands. In both cases, the hand is held so that the fingers form the initials IC XC (the abbreviation for "Jesus Christ" in Greek), and he traces the Sign of the Cross in the air with his hand. If a bishop or abbot is holding his crozier while making the benediction, he will raise his right hand and trace the Sign of the Cross with both his crozier and right hand, crossing the one in front of the other. More solemn benedictions, such as that which comes at the end of the Divine Liturgy, will be made with a blessing cross rather than the hand.
[edit] Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
In the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches, "Benediction" (with a capital "B") usually refers to the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
This involves the display of the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance set upon the altar. A significant portion of this liturgy includes singing, prayer (particularly the chanting of the Divine Praises), and the silent worship of Christ's real presence in the consecrated Host. At the end of this liturgy, the celebrant holds the monstrance using a humeral veil worn over the shoulders and covering the hands, this is to demonstrate that the benediction does not come from the priest but from the Divine Presence in the monstrance. The celebrant has the congregation blessed with the displayed Host by tracing the sign of the cross with the monstrance held steadily upright before him. This liturgy can be a rite unto itself but is most often celebrated at the close of other liturgies. Incense is often used at the beginning and at the end of the Benediction.
[edit] References in Popular Culture
- In the MMORPG World of Warcraft, Benediction is the name given to the holy form of a Priest's epic staff.
- Similarly, in Final Fantasy XI, White Mages have an ability called Benediction, which restores life to all allies, but can only be called upon once every two hours.
- In the MMORPG Guild Wars Nightfall, there is also a spell called Zealous Benediction, which is a powerful healing spell.
- In the RPG Dragon Quest VIII Benendiction is used by priests to lift curses from party characters.
- In the MMORPG Dark Age of Camelot healer classes gain access to a constitution stat buff that is for a short time called "Benediction of Health."
- Benediction (story) is also the title of a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1920.
- In the song "Over Now" by Day26 the hook contains: "Benediction from a pastor."
[edit] References
- Thurston, Herbert. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume II. (New York: Robert Appleton, 1907)
- Benediction, Columbia Encyclopedia (Sixth edition, 2005)
